Could Free Range Actually Be Bad For Chickens?

We know keeping chickens in cages is a no-no, but the jury is out as to whether free range systems are a much better alternative.

There's long been a push to phase out battery cages in favour of free-range systems, defined as a space where chickens have outdoor access.

Amid campaigns urging shoppers to buy eggs and meat from free-range chickens, few have stopped to ask if the chickens actually like being free range.

One person who has considered this is Victoria's former chief vet Dr. Charles Milne. Last Friday Milne left the role and gave his final interview to the Sydney Morning Herald. He claimed free-range systems cause chickens more harm than good.

How do the chickens like to live? Photo: Getty Images.

"Chickens are related to forest-dwelling birds. They don't like open spaces," Milne said.

In a research paper released in 2017, Voiceless said "alternative production systems come with their own welfare concerns and should not be considered as easy substitutes for battery cages". This includes free-range systems.

Voiceless lists a number of pros and cons for free-range systems. While it's deemed positive for chickens to have outdoor access, current free-range standards do no require hens to have quality outdoor cover nor do they ensure hens will actually venture outside.

"The new standard does not require hens have access to quality outdoor covers, such as trees, shelter and shade cloth, which is crucial as hens require security from perceived predation and weather protection," the paper reads.

"All of these factors impact on the ability of hens to access the outdoors, and therefore, impact negatively on the hen’s welfare."

One point all agree on is the need to phase out battery cage systems altogether.

Cage systems should be phased out. Photo: Getty Images.

Chickens living in cage systems are often anxious and develop chronic pain from a lifetime of living on unstable and uneven floors.

Cage systems prevent chickens from spreading their wings and can also contribute to the spread of disease.

"Generally, the less space per bird, the poorer the welfare of the bird. Birds need enough space to move around, build leg strength and perform their normal behaviours," Hartcher said.

"We need to phase out cages. Chickens are inquisitive and active and they need space to stretch their wings and flap their wings, which they are unable to do in conventional battery cages."